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Weekly Answers, Pt. 2

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers…1) With Ayers+Moore likely leaving and what’s currently one of the worst passing offenses in D-1 (if not the worst?) what hope would you give to next year’s football team that it won’t be a repeat of this year’s team? – TienBecause I see a lot of talent in guys who will be either ascending to key positions or will be maturing at their current positions. Aside from Ayers and Moore, UCLA upgrades at every single position next season, and with Dietrich Riley likely moving into the starting lineup next year if Moore goes, the Bruins will still be pretty good at safety.

2) Hey Jon, love the blog. Keep up the good work. After watching DC Chuck these past two years, I am convinced that he is not cut out right now to be a DC. I just do not see the adjustments and schemes helping the D. There is a lack of creativity and execution. I know one can say our players are young, but there are plenty of other schools that play young players. We’ve been in the same D system for years now with no progress, even though we’ve gained more talented players. What do you think? I’m really missing DeWayne Walker as our DC. – poorunfortunatesoulI think it’s too soon to write off Bullough. I think the UCLA defense lacks of-age talent – there’s that old excuse again, sorry – and will improve next year immensely, particularly as Cassius Marsh and Brandon Willis take more pivotal roles. The one issue I have with the Bruin defense is the substitution patterns at linebacker and defensive back. The coaches always hype up the competition angle, and we’ve seen so many different guys start, that I don’t get why the backups don’t spell the starters more, particularly when the offense is just so bad. Sean Westgate “narrowly” beat out Glenn Love during the offseason at OLB. Why does Love get barely any reps? Isn’t a 100-percent Love better than a 65-percent Westgate, if they were so close in the first place? Same for the DBs as well. I just don’t get it.

3) Do you think UCLA BBall can beat both Nova and Kansas? If not which game do they have the best chance of winning? – SALBoth will be very difficult games, in very tough places to play, but if Malcolm Lee is healthy, I give the Bruins a puncher’s chance in both. I would probably say Villanova would be the tougher team to beat, surprisingly, because they always have such good guard play, and because they’ll be the more natural fit in MSG.

4) Jon, your reports from last year really led me to believe that Josh Smith and Joseph Fauria would be true impact players and difference makers. In reality, their contributions have be negligible. Why doesn’t your hype match their output? – Hype MachineSmith was hampered by injuries early on, kinda got buried in the depth chart, and had the one-game suspension. Plus, the UCLA passing offense has been atrocious. Fauria was hampered by injuries early on and I don’t think has healed, despite what they say. He still runs a little funky. He’s also not the blocker that Cory Harkey is, and because the Bruins have been so one-dimensional, he hasn’t had the playing time. Both are talented receivers, and because UCLA focuses so much on the passing game against the scout team or even just air, they’re deficiencies are masked in practice. That being said, yeah, the hype was a bit much and I was wrong.

5) I’m getting tired of the injury excuses. To me, that’s just another reflection of coaching. The HC is supposed to be in charge of everything, right? He’s responsible for ensuring good technique and that the players on the field are in shape, well conditioned, and strong enough to hold up. What do you think? – AnonymousI could not disagree more. You’re gonna blame Neuheisel for Richard Brehaut’s concussion? Or Datone Jones’ broken foot? Or Kai Maiava? Or Nik Abele? Or. Or. Or. Or. Or….

Much respect, Jon. (Aaaaand accusations of my bromance for you in, three, two…)

JoJoBruin

I was injured from watching bad football all season long and that I will require surgery on my eyes…perhaps the NCAA will grant me an exemption!

Bob

I think Riley is better than Moore right now. If the NFL wants him that bad, then for goodness sakes draft him. Moore has seriously underachieved this season.

Blue Bruin

Yes, I certainly am going to blame the coaching for the injuries…especially the breaks and sprains and tears. Because it happens to UCLA every single year. When was the last time USC lost a season due to a “rash of injuries?” When is the last time Florida lost a season due to injuries. The guys in those programs are exponentially bigger and stronger than UCLA players and it shows.

http://qfl247.com Matt A

I really don’t see Ayers and Moore leaving… they have both underachieved, and with the pending lockout in the NFL, this might not be the best year to take a chance on getting drafted.

Bf Anon in denver

@ Bob: i’m sure you wanted Moore to stay all 4 years last year when he was tied for tops in the ncaa for picks. just because he is having an off year you write him off.
Sometimes i get more frustrated with the bruin fans and their unrealistic expectations. you set up these false expectations that the bruins are a team that they are not and then get disappointed when they fail.

It’s not Neuheisel’s fault for Brehaut’s concussion, but IT IS THE COACHES FAULT that with this offense, where the QB needs to run a lot, that neither Brehaut nor Prince know how or when to slide to avoid a hit. And Bruin Blue is correct, the Bruins strength and conditioning is not on par with other D1 schools.

Anonymous

Brehaut actually slid on that play. The opposing player just laid an enormous illegal hit on him while he was sliding down.

Anonymous

A lot of Moore’s picks last year were thrown right to him. He is a good player, but way overhyped this year.

Meta

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